I played college ball in state and we had a similar hookup at Publix except they would load up whatever we wanted Chicken fingers, Subs whatever in box and just put a misc $2 charge sticker on it. So technically we all still paid. Deli Manager was the one that set it up. So he could very well be telling the truth.
"Pay $2 for this $15 box of food" is a hookup.
"Take these crablegs and walk past the register out the front door, good luck! don't get caught!" Is a make believe story told by someone not very bright.